Braiding-machine



(No Model.) msneets-sneet 1.

J. TREGURTHA.

, 'BRAIDING MACHINE.

No. 447,262. Patented Feb. 24,1891. (Q

THE "cams ve'rzns co, FHD'TO-LI'IHO, WASHINGTON, o. c,

(No Model.) 10 SheetsSheet 2. J. TREGURTHA. BRAIDING MACHINE.

v Patented Feb. 24,1891.

"m: uonms PETERS mi mow-mum, msnm 'run, v. c.

(-No' Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 3.

J. TREGURTHA. BRAIDING MACHINE. n

No. 447,262. Patented Feb. 24, 1891.

WITNEEEEE. \NVENTUR- aafim Wf a 10 Sheets --'Sheet 7.

(No Model.)

J. TREGURTHA. BRAIDING MACHINE.

Patented Feb; 24, 1891.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 8;

' J. TREGURTHA.

BRAIDING MACHINE.

No. 447,262. Patented Feb. 24-, 1891.

WITNEEEEE- m2 uonms PETERS co., mor umm, wunmmmn, n. c.

(No Model. 10 Sheets-Sheet 9.

J. TREGUR'THA; BRAIDING MACHINE.

N0. 447,262. Patented Feb. 24,1891;

igzqh WITNE. 5 EE 5;

INITED" STAT S 1 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES TREGURTI-IA, OF MALDEN, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY A. CLARK AND THOMAS A.JOHNSON, BOTH OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRAlDlNG-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part-of Letters Patent No. 447,262, dated February24, 1891.

Application filed December 2, 1889- Serial No. 332,278. (No model.)

bins, one set above the other, the two sets being arranged to moveconcentrically in contrary directions; and the invention consists inabraidin g-machine having two sets of bob bins, one set above the otherand arranged to I move concentrically in contrary directions, of

the construction and arrangement of suitable mechanism and parts for theoperation of the machine, all substantially as herein after fullydescribed.

In the accompanying sheets of drawings is illustrated a braiding-machineconstructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 1 is a view of the entire machine in front elevation. Fig. 2 is aplan view thereof below line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail plan viewbelow line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail View below line 4. 4, Fig; 1.Fig. 5 is an end elevation in detail of parts shown in Fig. 4,

looking to the right from the line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detailvertical central section on line 6 6, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detailvertical section on line 7 7, Fig. 3, to show more particularly themeans of driving the various parts. Fig. 8 is a central vertical sectionon line 8 8, Fig. 2,showing a bobbin in section and means for supportingit. sections on lines 9 9 and 10 10, respectively,

Fig. 8. Fig. 11 isadetail central section of some of the parts morefully shown in Fig.8. Fig. 12 is a detail central vertical section online 12 12, Figs. 2 and 3, showing the manner of operating some of theparts. Fig. 13 is a detail vertical section on line 13 13, Fig. 1. Fig.14 is a detail cross-section on line 14 14, Fig. 12. Fig. 15 is a detaillongitudinal section on line 15 15, Fig. 13. Fig. 16 is a detailvertical section of one of the bobbins of the upper set of bobbins,showing "its means of support and the mode of applyin'gtension to itsthread. Fig. 17 is a side view of the same bobbin a'quarter round fromt-he view in Fig.

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail 16.- Fig. 18 is a detail section of a part ofFig. l

16. Fig. 19 is an end view of the screw shown in Fig. 18. Figs. 20, 21,22, and 23 are detail views of some of the parts representing the mannerof carrying one of the threads of a lower bobbin under a bobbin of theupper set. Fig. 24 is a detail section, some of the parts being shown inelevation, of some of the parts carrying the bobbin, and showing thethread as passing between them and under the bobbin. Fig. 25 is a detailplan view of some of the feeding mechanism. Fig. 26 is an end view ofsome of the same parts and other parts of the feeding mechanism; andFigs. 27 and 28 are two side elevations of the stop mechanism for thethread of a bobbin in the upper set from two different sides.

In the drawings, A A represents a framework on which the various partsof the machine are supported and carried and having legs B B.

O is a horizontal shaft adapted to turn in bearings a aof the frame.

D is the driving-pulley, arranged to turn loosely on said shaft and tobe connected thereto for operation ot the shaft and machine by a clutchE,. (-io'nstructed as usual and arranged to ni ove' back and forth onsaid shaft and having lever and handle F for operatAign/tliereof, movingthe clutch-lever to 13$? ght, connecting the shaft with the pulley, andmoving it back, disengagingit therewith.

G (see Fig. 7) is a vertical bevel gear-wheel secured to the inner endof the shaft, which engages with a horizontal bevel gear-wheel H,connected by uprights J to a horizontal flat ring or plate K, which issecured to a sleeve L, loosely fitting a central vertical tubular'stemor rod M, on which it can freely turn, the tubular stem being secured atthe lower end in a central standard N, secured in the horizohtalbed-plate P.

Q is a small horizontal gear-wheel adapted to freely turn on anextension I) of the sleeve L, resting on a shoulder thereon and havingpermanently secured to it on its upper side a turn in a vertical bearingd, secured to the ring-plate K and extending down below and through thesame, the shaft or rod having on its lower end below the ring-plate K asmaller horizontal gear-wheel U, which engages with a gear-wheel V,permanently secured to or forming a part of a central standard N.

Secured to the upper end of the extension of the sleeve L by a set-screwc is another horizontal bevel gear-wheel V, which turns with the bevelgear-wheel I]. and ring-plate K. On the ring-plate K are secured atregular distances apart by screws f brackets Y, which support the lowerset of bobbins, there being one bracket to each bobbin, and in thepresent instance six bobbins, each bobbin being arranged to freely turnon a horizontal pin or shaft A of its bracket.

B is a screw-nut on the inner end of the pin A ,against which bears aspiral spring g, encircling the pin, and against the end of this springis placed a washer C, loosely fitting the pin, so it can freely slideback and forth thereon, and having a tongue h, which fits looselyin alongitudinal groove min the under side of the pin and prevents theturning of the washer on the pin, but does not interfere with itslongitudinal movements thereon. Against this washer rests the bobbin Zon the pin A, and at the outer end of the bobbin is another washer D,having an oblong opening a to fit the pin near its outer end, which atthe end is correspondingly shaped in cross-section to receive thewasher. The end has an open elongated longitudinal slot in which isarranged to swivel a thin flat piece E of the width of the diameter ofthe pin, and when swungin line with the pin, as in Fig. 11, the endwasher D and bobbin can be easily removed from the pin, its width,however, preventing the washer C from being removed because of itstongue h, and its length being such that swung across the pin, as shownin Fig. 8 more particularly, it holds the bobbin and washer D on the pinand prevents their accidental detachment therefrom.

The spring g presses the washers and bobbin against the cross-piece E,creating the necessary drag on the bobbin, which can be increased ordiminished, as required, by turning the screw-nut B in one or the otherdirection on the pin. The two washers fit the pin somewhat loosely toaccommodate themselves to their bearings on the bobbin; but not so thatthey will turn round with the bobbin. Each bobbin F of the upper setturns upon its vertical pin or shaft G, each pin being secured to asmall horizontal plate H, each plate having on its under side a widetransverse groovet and being arranged to move on a horizontal ring-plateJ above the bevel gear-wheel \V, which ring-plate is secured at regularintervals by uprights K to the lower ring-plate K.

The outer edge u of the ring-plate J is cut under or beveled, as shownin Figs. 12 and 24, the groove t of the bobbin-plate 11 being made tocorrespondingly lit the same by soouring to the under side of the plateseparate cross-pieces a and 1), although, if desired, the plate with thepieces can be made of one piece. In Figs. 10 and 17 the plate is'shownwithout the pieces attached.

Secured to the front of each bobbin-plate H and extending under thering-plate J, but free thereof, is a plate L, which plate, with theupper plate H, makes the bearing and guide for the travel of thebobbin-plate round on the ring-plate, the plate L having adownwardly-projectin g portion or block M, which has in its inner face aan open segmental circular vertical groove N with which engages alongitudinally end-projecting ring or short tube P of a horizontalradial shaft Q, turning freely in bearings 11, secured to the upper sideof the gear-wheel R. Each of these radial shafts has a bevel gear-wheelR, which engages with the horizontal bevel gearwheel \V.

Vith motion communicated to the shaft 0, turning it to the right, itsbevel gear-wheel G turns the bevel gear-wheel H, the lower ringplate K,and the bevel gear-wheel R to the right, consequently carrying the lowerset of bobbins, which are on the ring-plate K, in such direction. Thelower ring-plate K (see Fig. 7) as it revolves carries with it thevertical bearing (1, the upright shaft T, mounted in said bearing, andthe lower gear-wheel U around the stationary gear-wheel V of the centralstandard, thereby revolving the gearwheel U and said shaft T. The gear Sat the upper end of shaft T, engaging with the gearwheel Q,secured tothe horizontal bevel gearwheel R, turns the gear-wheels Q and R,carrying around with them the radial shafts Q, which by theirengagements with the plates L, secured to bed-plates ll of the bobbinsof the upper set, carry the bobbins with them to the left, or in thecontrary direction to that in which the lower set of bobbins are moving.At the same time by the carrying round of the radial shafts with thebevel gear-wheel R and by the engagement of their respective bevelgear-wheels R with the horizontal bevel gear-wheel Kfixed to the sleeveL, each radial shaft is caused to revolve on its own axis, for thepurpose hereinafter described.

To create drag on a bobbin F of the upper set, a flat spring-arm S isprovided, (see Figs. 16, 17, and 18,) having a cap or collar end to,which fits over the upper end y of an upright post a, secured to theplate H, a spiral spring I) surrounding the post and bearing against theunder edge of the cap or collar 10 and the plate, the spring-arm S beingsecured in place by a screw d, screwing through the cap end into the topof the post, the spring-arm being bent up and extending over the top ofthe bobbin and having secured to it on its under side by a screw ,1" aplate or washer e This washer rests on the top of the bobbin and issecured to the spring so it can have free movement thereon, but not toturn with the bobbin. The screw has a flat head f, which fits in thecentral opening of the bobbin, and next to.it a portion 9, square incross-section, (see Fig. 19,) on which it cannot turn. The springarm hasan opening h, which passes freely over the screw-threaded portion of thescrew and bears upon the shoulder of the square portion, leaving thewasher comparatively free, and screwing onto the screw T is a checknutm, which, being screwed down tightly,

holds the screw T firmly to the arm, preventing by its square portionthe turning of the washer, the shoulder, however, leaving the washerotherwise free practically. The tension on the bobbin can be increasedor diminished by turning in or out the screw (1' on the post, whichforces down the spring-arm S or allows it to rise from the action of thespiral spring I), which holds the spring-arm up against the screw-headat all times, or the tension can be. regulated by bending up or down thespring-arm itself.

U is a lever or arm pivoted by one end to a standard n, secured to theouter edge of the lower ring-plate K, and pivoted at r to the lever is arod-t, connected to an eccentric a on a horizontal shaft V, turning inbearings c on the-ring-plate K and having on its inner end a verticalbevel gear-wheel W, which engages with the horizontal bevel gear-wheelR, by which as the bevel gearwheel is revolved the shaft V is revolved,and at each revolution the lever, from its eccentric connectiontherewith, will be moved or swung up and down on its pivot r, forpurposes hereinafter described.

The thread A from each lower bobbin Z passes over a hook to, then undera hook y of the standard a, thence upward over a wheel a", pivoted tothe upper end of the standard along the lever U through a longitudinalopen slot in a stud c on the free end of a flat spring 6', secured byits other end to the side of the lever at f, and thence through anopening g in the end of the lever to the center of the. machine.

The thread B from the upper bobbin F passes through an opening 72 in astud m", secured to the bobbin-plate H, and then lies or is disposed inan open slot 11/ in the upper end of the bent-up portion or arm r" of ahorizontal lever C", pivoted at t" to alug a" of the bobbin-plate, andfrom thence to the center of the machine, where the threads from all thebobbins meet, and are then braided together, either by themselves orround about a core of any suitable material, the threads as braidedtogether being fed up through a horizontal guide-ring D", secured to ahorizontal cross-bar E of the uprights F F of the frame by a feedingdevice, the construction and mode of operation of which willnow bedescribed.

On the driving-shaft C is a gear-wheel G", engaging with a gear-wheel Harranged to turn loosely on a short shaft '0", turning in bearingsinposts '10" and'y"of the bed-plate.

Secured on one end of a short shaft a",turningin bearings of thegear-wheel H, is a gearwheelJ", engaging with a gear-wheel I rigidlyfixed to post to and rigidly secured on the other end of the shaft 0' onthe other side of the gear-wheel H is a small gear- Wheel L, havingsixteen teeth, which e11- gages with a gear-wheel M", having fifteenteeth, rigidly secured on the shaft o, the gear-wheels J and K" havingsixteen teeth each. On the outer end of the shaft 0 on the opposite sideof post y is a vertical bevel gearwheel N, engaging with a horizontalbevel gear-wheel P", secured to the lower end of an inclined shaftQ,turning in bearings 19' of the frame and having on its upper endrigidly secured to it a horizontal bevel gearwheel R", which engageswith a vertical bevel gear-wheel S", secured to a journal-pin c',turning in bearings on a bar or stud e' of upright F", the pin 0" havinga gear-wheel T" secured to it, which engages with a gear-wheel U".Gear-wheel U" turns on a pin or stud d' of an arm V", pivoted to andadapted to swing on the pin 0' and to be guided in its movements andseen red in position by a screw h', having a head and passing freelythrough an elongated circular slot 12, concentric with the pivot of thearm V" in a plate Y", se-

cured to the upright F", the screw havinga a horizontal shaft 13",without danger of accident-al detachment therefrom, by a thumbscrew nuts, the shaft 13' turning in bearings t of the horizontal cross-bar E"and carrying the feed-roller 0'.

As the gear-wheel H" revolves, it carries the two gear-wheels J and Laround with it, and the travel of the gear-wheel J around the fixedgear-wheel K revolves the gearwheel J", consequently revolving the shafta and gear-wheel L". In each revolution of the gear-wheel L thegear-wheel M" re-' volves the distance of one tooth, because thegear-wheel M has one less tooth than the gear-wheel L", and in fifteenrevolutions of the gear-wheel L the gear-wheel M" and its shaft 1) willrevolve once round, turning'the bevel gear-wheel N engaging with thebevel gear-wheel P of the inclined shaft Q, once round, by which thespeed of the feed-rollers is very much reduced, which is desirable inbraiding machines. This arrangement takes the place of the usualworm-gearing of braiding-machines.

The object of the swinging arm V, carrying gear-wheel U, is to permit ofchanging the speed of the feed-roller shaft 13' when desired, which isaccomplished by removing the gear-wheel A'" and putting in its place onesmaller or larger, according as it is desired to turn the shaft 13'faster or slower, which is done by loosening the thumb-screw nut r,swinging the arm V down to disen- IIO gage the gear-wheel U from thegear-wheel A', removing the gear-wheel A from its shaft B by unscrewingthe thumb-screw not 8', putting in its place on the shaft 13" agear-wheel of the desired size, swinging up the arm V" to engage thegear-wheel U with the new gear-wheel on shaft 13', and then screwing upthe thumb-screw nut r to secure the arm V" in place.

To automaticallystop the machine when in operation in case any of thethreads break or become loosened, so that the machine will then cease tooperate until it is attended to by the operator, the following means areprovided: On the thread 1 from a lower bobbin between the twoguide-hooks w and y hangs a wire u by its hook '0', said wire extendingdown therefrom through a guide-opening in the part 1 of the standard,its lower portion a being square in cross-section to prevent itsturning, and extending down through a guideopening in a part d" of thestandard and projecting below the same a short distance, it being freeto move up and down in the guide-openings Pivoted on a vertical pin orrod rigidly secured to an arm 2 of the bedplate is an arm E, extendinghorizontally therefrom, in the form shown in Fig. 4 more particularly,and so adjusted as to be just belowthe horizontal plane in which thelower ends a of the rods a' travel when held up by the threads andcarried round by the machine in its operation, and high enough that ifthe rod should drop down from its position at such time as far as itsbook will allow it, it then resting on its guide-bearing part y', itslower end a will then be below the horizontal plane of the arm E, and inthe operation of the machine such rod 11/ as it approaches the arm E(the arm being horizontally the same relative distance from the centralaxis of the machine, except that its angular outer edge f is a greaterdistance, sufficient for the proper working of the arm by the rod) willhear against the outer edge of the arm and swing the arm on its pivot tothe left into position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. Secured to thelower end of the bearing of the arm 15'' is another horizontal arm F,projecting therefrom a little more to the left than the arm E, as shownin plan in Fig. 4.

Pivoted at g" to the arm h" of the bedplate is a bar or lever G',arranged to swing vertically on its pivot and having one end extendingto the left and its other end toward the clutch-lever F, so that theclutcl1lever when moved into position to connectthe clutch with thedriving-pulley will abut and rest against the end m of the arm G, and bethere held from baelnvard movement. The under side of this looking orlatch lever G is beveled or inclined downwardly from its front edgebackward, as shown at n in Fig. 5, and the said latch-lever has a Hatspring r", hearing by its free end against its under side and seen redto the arm h"" to hold the latch-lever up in its position of lock orengagement with the clutclrlever when not otherwise acted upon.

Moving the clutch-lever to the right in Fig. 1 engages the clutch withthe pulley, and when the lever is moved past the end mof the latch-leverthe spring 1" presses the latch up for such end to be in position forthe clutch-lever to then abut against it, holding the lever in suchposition and the clutch to its engagement with the pulley so long as thelever remains so locked.

A thumb-piece 11, secured to the top of the latch-lever, extends overthe clutch-lever F, the pressing down of which thumb-piece when theclutch is locked swings the latchlever on its pivot and its end m fromits bearing on the clutch-lever, when the bearingspring J secured to thelever F and the bedplate, returns the clutch-lever to its normalposition, disengaging the pulley from the shaft.

\Vhen the machine is in operation, the thread from a bobbin of the lowerset is kept under a state of tension in passing .from the bobbin to thecenterof the machine, where it is braided with the others by thefriction 011 the bobbin and the pull of the feed-rollers upon thebraided cord, and such tension is snflicient to hold the rod 10" highenough for its lower end to be above the horizontal plane of thelatch-operating arm E, so that as it is carried round in the operationof the machine it will then pass over and not touch the arm; but if thethread breaks or becomes loosened the rod 11/ will fall by its gravity,so that its lower end will then be below the horizontal plane of thelatch-operating arm E, and as it approaches the arm in the movement ofthe machine it will strike and bear against its edge f and swing it inits continued movement sufficiently inward for the lower arm F to moveor ride under the inclined part 72" of the latch-arm G, raising the sameand swinging it on its pivot, so as to lower its other end 171""sufficiently for the clutch-lever to be free thereof and be swung backby its spring J', so as to move the clutch from the pulley, andconsequently stopping the machine. After the rodu' has passed by theouter end of the arm E' the latter and arm 5 are then free to return totheir normal position, it being actuated by a spring (,wound around itsjournal-pin and connected to its journal or support by one end andbearing by its other end against the lower arm F, and in such positionthelower arm rests against a stop or shoulder g', secured to the arm 6of the bed-plate, to hold the arm E' in proper position to be operatedby the rod u', as before. To operate the clutch in case any of thethreads of the upper set of bobbins become broken or loosened, thefollowing means are provided, which are shown more particularly in Figs.17, E27, and 28:

K is a vertical arm pivoted at t" to the frame and having a crank-arm L,which is connected by a rod M to one end of a bar 1, pivoted at Q to anarm R of the frame, its other end S resting on a clasp T (looselysurrounding the standard N) of a lever U, pivoted at V to a lug of thebed-plate and extending therefrom in posi- Iion for its other end W tobe under the end 1'' of the latch G.

Pivoted on the outer end of the horizontal lever or bar 0' of the bobbin-plate H is a roundpin A which passes down through an opening 12" in thebobbin-plate, in which it has free movement up and down.

The upper end of the stop-arm K' is ina horizontal plane just below thehorizontal plane of the lower end of the bar-pin A"" and is the samedistance radially from the central axis of the machine. The tension onthe thread B, passing from the bobbin F to the guide-ring, holds downthe inner end of the bar 0, and thus its outer end, with the pin A",high enough so that in itstravel round the pin will pass above and freeof the arm K, but the instant the thread breaks or becomes loose, therebeingthen no resistance to the bar, its'end 10" falls by its greatergravity, loweringits pin so that the pin will then, as it is carriedround, strike against the arm K, swing it on its pivot, and by itsconnection with the barP causeits end S to pressdown theclasp end T ofthe lever U raise its other end W, and thus move the latch-lever, andconsequently release the clutch-lever, as before described, and stop themachine. Each one of' the lower threads has a gravity-rod and each oneof the upper threads has a gravitylever, so that whichever thread breaksor becomes loosened its respective rod or lever will be released andstop the machine.

The feeding of the material after it is braided is accomplished asfollows: The Various threads from all the bobbins pass up through theguide-ringD,beingthen braided, to and between the feed-rollers C' and Dthe one 0" on the shaft B" and the other D on a short shaft 13" inhearings in a small frame 0", resting on the cross-bar E, the two shaftsbeing connected together'by gear-wheels D D and the frame being arrangedto slide back and forth on and across the bar, so that its feed-roller.D' can be moved to and from the other feed-roller, the frame beingsecured from detachment by a screw 10, passing through an elongated sloty" and screwing into the bar E, as shown more particularly in Figs. 13and 25.

E" is a horizontal screw, which screws through a right-angular downwardextension c of the feed-roller frame in front of the bar E and inposition to bear against the front end of a horizontal pin F having ahead b and arranged to slide back and forth in a socket d on the underside of the bar. This screw has a check-nut e on it, which, after thescrew is set, is turned up to its bearing to hold the screw firmly inplace.

The pin-F has a spiral spring f which bears against the shoulder g andpin-head I), pressing byits tension the pin outward and through thescrew E pressing the frame carrying the feed-roller D' forward to causefeed-roller D to bear against the other feedroller 0", or the braid orcord when placed between their peripheral grooves h5 to feed it from themachine. In a slot or in the end of the pin is a lever-arm G"", pivotedtherein at 41. which, when swung across the bearing, holds the pin fromforward movement, as shown in Figs. 13 and 15, and when swung for itsend r to bear against the plate or cap 15 over the end of the hearing,as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 15, pulls the pin back against itsspring, moving it away from the screw E", so that then-the frame, withthe feed roller D, can be easily moved back from theother feed-rollerfor the insertion betweenthem or removal therefrom of the braid. Thisarrangement enables the feedrollers to be easily separated for thepurpose stated without altering the adjustment of the set-screw E"".

In operating the machine, power being applied to the pulley and theclutch engaged therewith, the lower set of bobbins will be carried roundin one direction to the right and the upper set of bobbins in theopposite direction to the left, and each bobbin being supplied with itsthread, the several threads are passed through their respective hooksand guides to the central guide-rin g, up which all are carried by hand,and the machine being set in operation the several threads are braidedtogether and are passed between the feed-rollers, the one D first beingmoved back from the other, as described, for the easy insertion of thecord or braid, and after the latter has been placed in position thefeed-roller D is inoved back and secured in place, the feed-rollers thenfeeding the braid as fast as braided to a spool, and on which it can bewound by being connected by belt to the pulley F on shaft B for theturnin g of the same, In the travel of the bobbins the threads from theupper set of bobbins pass continually round to the left in a horizontalor substantiallya horizontal line; but each thread of a lower bobbinpasses to the right and over one of the upper threads and its bobbin andunder the next bobbin and its thread, over the next, and then under thenext, and so on continually, which braids the threads all together. Thedelivery end g" of each thread-lever U moves up and down, as described,sufficiently for its re spective thread A" when thelever is highest topass over, and when lowest to pass under freely and easy an upper bobbinand its plate. To accomplish this the tubular or ring end P of eachradial shaft Q, which engages with an upper bobbin-supporting plate, iscutaway at one side, as shown at a in Figs. 1a, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 2%.the radial shafts Q vare so timed in relation to the travel of the upperset of bobbins and The revolutions of the travel and the up-and-downmovements of the levers U that when the delivery end of each lever movesdown it passes below the horizontal plane of the upper ring-plate J, asshown in Fig. 20, carrying the thread with it, the thread passingthrough an opening 12 cut through the upper ring-plate J and into avertical opening 10 in continuation of the openingt' in the uprightconnecting two adjacent ring-plates, and as the thread reaches the underpart of the bobbin-plate H and near to or about its lowest point theradial shaft then next thereto and carrying the bobbin -plate, underwhich the lever-thread is then to pass in its movement round the centralaxis of the machine, will have reached such thread and have revolved onits own axis sufficiently for the opening a in its tubular end P to bein position for the thread to pass into or enter such opening andbetween it and its connecting-block of the bobbin-plate on one side, asshown in Fig. 21, and in the continued rotation of the radial shaft andthe movements of the thread and radial shaft toward and past each otherthe thread will pass down into the opening a at its lowest point, asshown in Figs. 22 and 24, through and out at the other side of theopening, as shown in Fig. 23, and thus under and free and clear of thebobbin-plate to which the radial shaft is connected, as shown more fullyin Fig. 24, and then by the upward movement of its lever the thread willbe carried upward between the last bobbin and the next approaching, andat its highest point the next bobbin will pass under the thread and thethread over it in their continued movements, when the lever and threadwill then be moved down again under the next bobbin and the threadthrough the opening in the tubular end of its radial carryingshaft upagain and over the next bobbin, and so on continually alternately underand over a bobbin in the upper set.

The under parts of the bobbin plate, the top of the radial shaft bearingnearest its tubular end, and the upper-edge of the bevel gear-wheel \Vare cut away sufficiently to allow the thread free movement between andby them, so that it will not touch them when passing under thebobbin-plates, all as shown particularly in Fig. 24, which shows thethread in line from the delivery-eye of the lever at its lowest point tothe guide-ring D" as it passes through the opening a in the tubular endof the radial shaft and below and under the bobbin-plate.

The cutting away of a portion of the tubular end of the radial shaft forthe opening a is not so much but that some part of the tubular portionis within the circular slot in the bobbin-plate block to insure at alltimes its connection therewith to properly carry the bobbin around onthe upper ring-plate.

The travel of the lower and upper ringplates and the lower bobbins in acircular direction to the right is at the same speed as the upperbobbins travel to the left. The levers U in the present machine arearranged to all move upward and downward together with their respectivethreads, but they can be arranged to move in such manner that whileevery other one is moving upward the others are moving downward, andvice versa, or in any suitable order. In order that the tension on thethreads of the lower set of bobbins, so far as the movements of thedelivery ends of the levers are concerned, shall not be irregular, butbe equal and uniform through their full movements, and that the threadsshall be delivered alike at all times,the pivots on which thedelivery-levers swing or rock are arranged in the same horizontal planeor substantially the same horizontal plane of the under side of theguide-ring D" at the center of the machine, so that throughoutthe fulllength of their up-and-down movement the deliveryeye 9" of such leverwill be practically the same distance from the guide-ring.

The gear-wheel G on the driving-shaft has a bevel gear-wheel G" on itsside, which engages with a horizontal bevel gear-wheel 11", rigidlysecured to the lower end of an upright shaft J"", turning in bearings ofsupports 11"", attached to the uprights F", its upper end being adaptedto receive a crank-handle, (not shown,) by which the machine can beoperated by hand when desired.

The radial shafts connect with the upper bobbins to carry them round ontheir supporting-ring plate, and for such purpose alone their connectionwith the plates or supports for the bobbins can be arranged in anysuitable manner, but for the purpose also of having the threads from thelower set of bobbins pass under the upper set of bobbins each shaft mustbe cut away at its intersection with its bobbin-plate,substantially asdescribed or in any equivalent manner.

In braiding round a wire or cord for a core it is passed up through thetubular stem M and the threads braided round it as it enters theguide-ring, the stem being hollow throughout its length, as shown, forsuch purpose.

The gear-wheel H" need not be made in the form of a gear-wheel, as itcan be of a plain disk shape, or simply a bar. or of any shape that willcarry the gear-wheels J and L and can be operated or revolved in anysuitable manner.

is a stop-pin'secured to the support R for the lever P to bear againstwhen in its normal position to keep it and its operatingbar K' inposition to be acted upon by the pin A when a thread of an upper bobbinbreaks or becomes loosened.

The gear-wheels J, K, and L can have a more 01' less number of teeth,all, however, having an equal number, and the gear-wheel M can have morethan one less tooth, as described, and in such case the gear-wheel ltwould correspondingly revolve the faster.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is- IIC 1. Thecombination, with the oppositelymoving gear wheel or plate andring-plate, of a radial shaft mounted in bearings on the former, meansfor imparting rotation to said shaft in its bearings, and abobbin-carrier mounted on the ring-plate and engaged by the end of theshaft, the threads above which the is cut away, means for impartingrotation to said shaft in its bearings, and a bobbin-carrier mounted onthe ring-plate, having a segmental circular groove to engage with thetubular end of the shaft, the threads above which the bobbin-carriermoves passing successively between the bobbin-carrier and the end of theshaft.

3. The combination, with the oppositelymoving gear wheel or plate andring-plate, of a radial shaft mounted in bearings on theformer, meansforimparting rotation to said shaft in its bearings, and a bobbin-carrierhaving a groove on its under side-to fit and by which it is guided onthe ring-plate and engaged by the end of the shaft.

4. The combination, with a ring plate or support and a series ofbobbin-carriers mounted thereon, of a revolving plate, a series ofradial shafts mounted in bearings thereon and each engaging at its outerend with one of the bobbin-carriers, the gear-wheels R, carried by saidshafts, and the revolving gear-wheel \V in engagement with saidgear-wheels R, the outer ends of the shafts being constructed to permitthe passage of braiding-threads between them and the bobbin-carriers.

5. The combination, with a bar or rod u', having a hook o, a plate orsupport for a bobbin, having guideways in which said bar or rod isarranged to slide up and down, and a rotating carrier, of an arm Epivoted to a suitable support andhaving an arm F, a latch orlocking arm,and the clutch-operating lever.

(3. The improved stopping mechanism for acting in case of the failure orbreakage of one or more of a series of braiding-threads, comprising, incombination, pivoted arm K adapted to be engaged by a moving projectionunder the control of each thread, a lever P, connected to the said arm,a lever 11, operated from said lever P and a latch-lever G for lockingthe clutch of the drivingshaft of the machine.

7. The combination, with an arm or rod having a longitudinal groove inits side secured to a bracket or support, of a washer on said rodadapted to engage with said groove, and a spring on said rod bearingagainst the, bracket and Washer, for the purpose specified.

S. The combination, with an arm or rod having a longitudinal groove inits side secured to a bracket or support, of a washer on said rodadapted to engage with said groove, a screw-nut, and a spring on saidrod bearing against the screw-nut and washer, for the pur-' posespecified.

9. The combination, with an arm or rod having a longitudinal groove inits side, of a washer on said rod adapted to engage with said groove, aspring on said rod bearing against the bracket and said washer, a washeron the outer end of said rod, and a piece pivoted to said rod to holdthe washers and spring upon said rod, for the purpose specified.

10. The combination, with an arm or rod having a longitudinal groove, ofa washer'on said rod adapted to engage with said groove, a spring onsaid rod bearing against the bracket and washer, a washer on the outerend of the rod, the end of the rod being shaped in cross-section toprevent its turning thereon, and a piece pivoted in a slot in the end ofthe rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

11. The combination, with a post or support a, secured to a suitablebase, of a sprin arm S, a screw securing said spring-arm to said post orsupport, and a spring to bear against said arm and hold it up againstsaid screw.

12. The combination, with a post or supsaid gear-wheel, a sleeve orhearing L, to

which said gear-wheel is secured, a support around which said sleeverevolves, a central standard N, a stationary gear-wheel V on or of saidstandard, a gear-wheel U, engaging with said stationary wheel, avertical shaft T, to which said gear-wheel U is secured, arranged torevolve in suitable bearings on said bobbin-support,a gear-wheel S onsaid shaft, a gear-wheel Q, engaging with said gear-wheel S, a bevelgear-wheel R, secured to gear-wheel Q, radial shafts Q, turning inbearings on said gear-wheel R, supports for another set of bobbins, aring-plate on which said latter bobbin-supports are supported andtravel, each radial shaft arranged to connect with a support for thelatter bobbins, a gear-wheel R on each radial shaft, and a gear-wheelWV, with which each radial-shaft gear-wheel engages and which is securedto said sleeve, by which the two sets of bobbins are carried round inconcentric paths in opposite directions.

14. The combination of a gear-wheel H, a support for one set of bobbinscarried by said gear-wheel, a sleeve or bearing L, to which saidgear-wheel is secured, a support around which said sleeve revolves, acentral standard N, a stationary gear-wheel V on or of said standard, agear-wheel U, engaging with said stationary gear-Wheel, a vertical shaft'1, to which said gear-wheel U is secured and arranged to revolve insuitable bearings on said bobbin-support, a gear-wheel S on said shaft,a gear-wheel Q, engaging with said gear-wheel S, a bevel gear-wheel R,secured to gear-wheel Q, a series of shtfts Y, gear-wheels \V on saidshafts engaging with the bevel gearwheel R, eccentrics on said shafts V,and thread-delivery levers U, connected to said eccentrics, for thepurpose specified.

15. The combination of a gear-wheel II, a ring-plate K, supported andcarried by said gear-wheel and on which one set of bobbins is supported,a sleeve or hearing L, to which said gear-wheel is secured, a supportaround which said sleeve revolves, a central standard N, a stationarygear-wheel V on or of said standard, a gear-wheel U, engaging with saidstationary gear-wheel, a vertical shaft '1, to which said gear-wheel Uis secured and arranged to revolve iii suitable bearings, a gearwheel onsaid shaft, a gear-wheel Q, engaging with said gear-Wheel S, a bevelgear-wheel R, secured to gear-wheel Q, radial shafts Q, turning inhearings on said gear-wheel R, supports for another set of bobbins, aringplate on which said latter bobbin-supports are supported and travel,a gear-wheel R on each radial shaft, a gear-Wheel V, with which eachradial-shaft gear-wheel engages and which is secured to said sleeve, bywhich the two sets of bobbins are carried round in concentric paths inopposite directions, a series of gear-wheels \V, engaging with the bevelgear-wheel R, a shaft V for each gear-Wheel \V, having an eccentric, andthread-delivery levers connected to said eccentrics, for the purposespecified.

16. The combination, \v i th a th read-deli very lever U for carryingthe thread from a bobbin to be delivered to the proper place in abraiding-machine, of a shaft V, carrying an eccentric and connected tosaid thread'delivery lever fol-operation thereof, for the purposespecified.

17. The combination, with feed-rollers G and D, the feed-rollers C beingarranged to revolve in bearings in a frame 0. arranged to be movedforward and backward on a suitable support provided with a setscrew E",of a hearing or rest F for the set'screw to bear or rest against,arranged. to move back and forth in a suitable guideway, a spring f, anda cam-lever G, pivoted to said bearing or rest and arranged to bear uponthe support for said bearing or rest, for the purpose specified.

18. The combination, with feed-rollers (1"' and D, the feed-rollers G'being arranged to revolve in bearings in a frame 0, arranged to be movedforward and backward on a suitable support, and a set-screw E'' on saidsupport, of a pin F, having a head if for the set-screw to bear or restagainst, arranged to move back and forth in a suitable guideway, aspring f and a cam-lever G pivoted to the pin and arranged to bear uponthe support for said bearing or rest, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMPL TREG UR'll IA.

Witnesses:

EDWIN W. BROWN, HENRY A. CLARK.

It is hereby certified that the name of the last-mentioned assignee inLetters Patent No. 447,262, granted February 24, 1891, upon theapplication of James Tregurtha, of

Maiden, Massachusetts, for an improvement in Braiding-Machines, waserroneously written and printed Thomas A. Johnson, Whereas said nameshould have been written and printed Thomas A. Johnston; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesame may conform to the files and records of the case in the PatentOfice.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this 11th day of August, A. D. 1891.

CYRUS BUSSEY, Assistant Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Gountersign ed W. E. SIMoNns,

Commissioner of Patents.

